Earlier this month, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed bipartisan legislation to help expand economic opportunity for veteran entrepreneurs. The Veterans Small Business Enhancement Act, which is now on its way to the House of Representatives, would allow veteran small business owners to acquire equipment and property that the federal government no longer has a use for by adding veterans to the list of eligible recipients for federal surplus property, which already includes women and minority small business owners as well as veterans service organizations.
“When our Veterans return home from their service, they deserve our full support as they transition back into civilian life, and that includes supporting their efforts to build and manage a small business,” said Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), who co-sponsored the bill. “Our nation should be doing much more to help our Veterans and I’m pleased the committee passed our bipartisan bill to help them expand their business operations, reduce costs, and create jobs across Illinois and around the country. I’ll be working with Senators Kennedy and Durbin, as well as other members on both sides of the aisle, to send this legislation to the President’s desk.”
The General Services Administration has overseen distribution of federal surplus property for 15 years in partnership with the Small Business Administration and State Agencies for Surplus Property (SASP). When there is no federal need for excess property, SASPs disburse the property to eligible recipients who otherwise may have been unable to acquire it. Not surprisingly, this legislation is supported by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the National Association of State Agencies for Surplus Property and the American Legion.
This one seems like a win-win. The government should want to help veteran-owned small businesses to the greatest extent practicable, and the property that is the subject of the bill is surplus. Waste not, want not.
Track the progress of the bill here. (When/if it passes, I will pass on that information as well).
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